Lens having total reflective side surfaces and light source module with same

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a lens and a light source module with the lens.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) with many advantages, such as high luminosity, low operational voltage, low power consumption, compatibility with integrated circuits, faster switching, long term reliability, and environmental friendliness have promoted their wide use as a lighting source.

Conventional tubular light source module includes a substrate and a plurality of LEDs arranged on the substrate in line. However, the LED generally generates a small spot with a radiation angle less than 120 degrees. The intensity of light emitted by the LEDs is concentrated, wherein the light intensity dramatically decreases when the radiation angle exceeds 120 degrees. The distribution of light emission of the conventional tubular light source is uneven when the LEDs are arranged sparsely. Therefore, it needs a plurality of LEDs arranged in line closely in order to achieve even light distribution. However, use of so many LEDs is costly.

Therefore, what is needed is a lens and a light source module with the lens which can overcome the described limitations.

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawing. The components in the drawing are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present light emitting diode device for microminiaturization. Moreover, in the drawing, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the whole view.

FIG. 1 is a schematic, isometric view of a light source module according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an inverted view of a lens of the light source module of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the light source module of FIG. 1 , taken along line thereof.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the light source module of FIG. 1 , taken along line IV-IV thereof.

FIG. 5 is a distribution graph of radiation of the light source module of FIG. 1 with a lens being removed.

FIG. 6 is a distribution graph of radiation of the light source module of FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , a light source module 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The light source module 100 includes a light source 10 and a lens 20 . Light emitted from the light source module 10 is adjusted by the lens 20 .

Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lens 20 includes a bottom surface 21 , a light input surface 211 , a light output surface 22 , a first side surface 23 , a second side surface 24 , a third side surface 25 and a fourth side surface 26 . The bottom surface 21 is rectangular, and includes two long edges 213 extending along a first direction and two wide edges 214 extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A length of the lens 20 along the first direction is longer than that of the second direction.

The light input surface 211 is a curved surface depressing from a center of the bottom surface 21 towards the light output surface 22 of the lens 20 . The light input surface 211 defines a cavity. In the present embodiment, the axis of the light input surface 211 is coaxial to that of the lens 20 . The light input surface 211 is an elliptic sphere surface, and the short axis of the elliptic sphere surface is substantially coplanar with the bottom surface 21 , and the long axis of the elliptic sphere surface is perpendicular to the bottom surface 21 .

The light output surface 22 is opposite to the bottom surface 21 . The output surface 22 includes a concave surface 224 located at a center thereof and a convex surface 225 located at peripheral thereof and surrounding the concave surface 224 . The concave surface 224 is just opposite to the light input surface 211 and is depressed towards the light input surface 211 of the lens 20 . The concave surface 224 is used for diverging direct light (i.e., light having a small emerging angle) emitted from the light source 10 . The convex surface 225 smoothly connects the concave surface 224 and is used for diverging side light (i.e., light having a large emerging angle) emitted from the light source 10 .

The first side surface 23 , second side surface 24 , third side surface 25 and fourth side surface 26 are total reflective surfaces. The first side surface 23 and the second side surface 24 respectively connect the long edges 213 and the light output surface 22 . The first side surface 23 and the second side surface 24 are slanting surface, and gradually slant outwardly along a direction from the bottom surface 21 to the light output surface 22 . The third side surface 25 and the fourth side surface 26 respectively connect the wide edges 214 and the light output surface 22 . The third side surface 25 and the fourth side surface 26 are perpendicular to the bottom surface 21 .

The light source 10 faces the light input surface 211 of the lens 20 . In the present embodiment, a light emitting surface 211 of the light source 10 is coplanar with the bottom surface 21 of the lens 20 . The light source 10 is an LED, and the axis of the LED is coaxial to that of the lens 20 . In an alternative embodiment, the light source 10 can be arranged in the cavity defined by the light input surface 211 of the lens 20 .

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , also referring to FIG. 4 , parts of light beams emitted from the light source 10 are reflected and converged by the first side surface 23 and the second side surface 24 to the light output surface 22 . The converged light beams are refracted and converged by the convex surface 225 of the light output surface 22 to outside. Also referring to FIG. 3 , the other parts of light beams emitted from the light source 10 enter the lens 20 and are diverged by the light output surface 22 . Therefore, light beams emitted from the light source 10 parallel to the first direction are diverged by the lens 20 , and light beams emitted from the light source 10 parallel to the second direction are converged by the lens 20 ; thus, a distribution of light emission of the light source module 100 is substantially rectangular. When the light source module 100 acts as the light source of a tubular light source module, a plurality of the light source module 100 are arranged in line. Light beams emitted from the light source 10 are diverged by the lens 20 , and the radiation angle of the light source module 100 is increased. Therefore, it can reduce the number of the light sources 10 , and it is cost down.

It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; and that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.